“We go to Le Mans and again we arrive there starting from zero, as I haven't done any tests there,” says Marc Marquez. “I'm very happy at the moment but we have to keep our feet on the ground as the coming circuits are new for me in MotoGP.”

Built in 1965 around the existing 24-Hour track, the Le Mans Bugatti Grand Prix race circuit lies 5km south of the city of Le Mans and 200km south-west of Paris. It is a tight track dominated by first gear corners that place the emphasis on late braking and hard acceleration, whilst rear end traction is also a key area.

“I'm looking forward to going to Le Mans,” Dani Pedrosa commented. “I had good results in the past and I enjoy the circuit, so I'm hoping that the bike works well there.”

Dani has finished on the podium 6 times in Le Mans, with three victories in the lower classes - 2003 in 125cc, 2004 and 2005 in 250cc, but success in the MotoGP class eludes him. Marc has had mixed results at this circuit but took a podium in 2010 (125cc) and a victory in 2011 (Moto2).